Brand new for 2013, the Bura SL is the Hong Kong-based Neil Pryde’s premier road racing platform. In development, the company used the Cervelo R5 as a benchmark for both weight and frame performance. Neil Pryde produced a bike that’s in the same weight ballpark, but has a ride that’s damped through the rear end. A large-size frame weighs 785 grams (with hardware), and has a stiffer head tube than the Cervelo. Complete bikes will be sold with mechanical Dura-Ace and Ultegra groups. A separate electronic-compatible version is available with Ultegra Di2. Both the mechanical and electronic frames cost $3,450; $5,695 with an Ultegra Di2 build.

Like many brands, Jamis has realized that a high-quality aluminum frame can out-perform similarly-priced carbon models, and deliver more value. The new Icon comes in an Elite (Ultegra parts, $2,600) and Pro (105 parts, $1,600) builds, and uses the same race-oriented geometry as the brand’s carbon road models. The bike also shares a fork with the carbon Xenith Team. A 56cm frame weighs 1,150 grams.

The lightest bike in Philadelphia-based Fuji’s line, the 13-pound Altamira SL comes with a full SRAM Red group and carbon tubular tires from in-house parts maker Oval. Fuji’s new high-compaction molding process gives the Altamira’s frame tubes greater density than older versions of the bike, and makes them stronger. The company’s C15 carbon fiber means that the company doesn’t have to use as much material, helping to keep the weight down. A bargain for a bike this light, the SL costs $6,000.

The Legend SL made a big splash at Interbike for Kestrel—riders at Oudoor Demo loved its smooth, efficient ride. The frame uses asymmetrical stays and a BB30 bottom bracket for an impressively sharp drivetrain response, while tube shaping and carbon lay up help make the bike comfortable on long rides. The company describes their new bike as one platform that can do everything from crits to gran fondos. A medium frame weighs 780 grams, making it competitive with many high-end bikes from bigger, more recognizable brands. The frame is available in four build options: Shimano Dura-Ace mechanical, $6,300; SRAM Red, $6,100; Shimano Ultegra Di2, $4,500; and mechanical Ultegra, $2,700.

Introduced in 2011, the Cervélo S5 remains structurally unchanged for 2013. However, the company has seen some changes in the past year: New ownership by PON has meant that the bikes are more widely available than they were last year. And, more importantly, bold new graphics give the brand’s bikes a fresh look and matches nicely with the bike's impressive ride characteristics.

For 2013, Specialized revised its category-defining Roubaix endurance road bike. The new S-Works model bears the same SL4 designation as the company’s Tour de France-proven Tarmac, and Specialized focused on making the bike faster, without sacrificing its comfortable ride. Changes to the frame include a stiffer front end, and different sizes frames get different size headset bearings and steerer tubes to tune the bike’s ride for the cyclists likely to be on the bike. Most Roubaix models also come with the new CobL GobL-R (say, cobble gobbler), which does an impressive job at absorbing road vibrations. The S-Works version with SRAM Red costs $8,000.

Giant introduced more electronic shifting options on women’s bikes for the 2013 model year. Shimano Ultegra Di2 will be available on the Avail Advanced SL 1, Avail Advanced 0, and Avail Composite 0. The Avail Composite’s frame also got a makeover for 2013, with electronic compatibility, as well as Giant’s RideSense integrated sensor technology. The all-new Avail Advanced SL frame is the lightest frame in the Liv/Giant lineup—and the company’s lightest frame overall. We expect to see the new models hit bike stores in November.

A new model for women from Ridley, the Liz has a taller head tube compared to other Ridley women’s bikes, giving its rider a more-upright position. The frame has also been tuned for a comfort on all-day excursions. Every size Liz (the bike starts in XXS, fitting riders as short a five feet), uses 700c wheels. There are two build options: Shimano 105 for $2,495, and Ultegra for $3,195.

After introducing just one Cayo model to the U.S. for 2012, Focus will import six in 2013. Designed to complement the high-zoot Izalco models, the Cayo is intended to be an all-purpose road racer capable of pleasing a wide range of cyclists, and hit slightly lower price points. Every Cayo model uses the same frame, with different build options priced between $2,150 and $4,400. This model, the Cayo EVO 2.0, costs $4,300 and comes with Ultegra Di2.